Karen Louise Tweed

Karen Louise Tweed (Starnes) passed away on January 2, 2015, at the age of 64, after a short battle with cancer. Karen was a long-time resident of Merced, where she was born and raised, graduating from Merced High School in 1968. She had moved away from her hometown twice, always to return to the home she had always known for the final time in 1978. She began working for Farmers Insurance in 1980 where she stayed until retiring after 33 years.

Karen was a long-time lover of bowling and served as the President for the Merced Atwater Women's Bowling Association for 13 years, President of the Merced County United States Bowling Congress for 1 1/2 years. She helped her community as a member of the Merced Eagles Auxiliary 2194, where she served as Secretary, Vice President, and President, and as member of Club Mercedes.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Tweed; her father, Olin Starnes; her daughter, Kara Auldridge Halfman (Tim); son, Olin (Jozette); grandchildren, Carol and Timothy Halfman, Jr. Austin, Ashlin, and Aidan Tweed; and brothers, Don and Dean Starnes. Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Geraldine Starnes, and her twin sister, Sharon Fleming.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Club Mercedes, 569 West 9th Street, Merced, CA 95341.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made in Karen's name to Bristol Hospice, 374 East Yosemite Avenue Ste. 200, Merced, CA 95340.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home